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Caring For an African Grey Parrot African grey parrots, just like toddlers, can become bored easily and need mental stimulation to avoid behavior problems. They could be destructive or even scream if they don't get enough stimulation. They are extremely intelligent and can imitate human speech. They are at risk from the trade in pets and habitat loss. Feeding The dietary needs of African greys are a little different from other large psittacine species. Although they are omnivores in the wild, they prefer seeds over vegetables and fruits. In captivity they are more likely to eat fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. They are also prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity therefore it is crucial for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to make up 75% of a bird's daily diet. Ideal diets should consist of a mixture of pellets and freshly prepared meals. A good proportion is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best options are kale, spinach, silverbeet, pak choi, broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses such as dandelion leaves endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower since they are high in levels of oxalic acids which hinder calcium absorption in the body. Nuts are a great source of nutrients, but they should be consumed in moderation due to their fat content. They provide protein, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals. The rest of your diet should consist of a mixture of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is poisonous to Psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. If a parrot consumes too many berries, they may develop yeast issues in the gastrointestinal tract. A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is crucial to keep an eye on the bird's weight, and to introduce new foods in small amounts. It is beneficial to weigh the bird every day so that any changes could be observed and quickly corrected. Giving the bird water regularly is also a good idea. This will help prevent dehydration and bacteria-related infections. Unfinished food in the cage or play area may spoil and cause health problems for your bird. Training Parrots are highly intelligent and are able to speak, though it may take days or even weeks to repeat back words they hear. A parrot that is trained properly can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep a bird's brain engaged and keep them from becoming bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behavior like feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require the intervention of a professional. It is important to stop the signs of bonding early, because if a parrot becomes totally attached to a single member of the family, it may become territorial and aggressive to other people. This can be very risky for elderly people, children or people with allergies. To avoid this, everyone in the family should spend time every day playing with the parrot and engaging with it in a variety of ways. Gizmo newborn african grey parrot will allow the bird feel more comfortable being touched by everyone in the family and decrease the possibility that it could develop a protective behavior. If a parrot is in a relationship to a single person, it will peck and bite at other family members or guests who try to touch or pet it. To prevent this from happening family members should take turns petting the bird or placing it into its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggressive behavior, it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it calms down. Be aware of “pinfeathers” or “blood feathers” during pet-loving sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply, and can bleed when they are touched. If a bloody feather pinfeather is found to be exposed and bleeds, it should be removed immediately and replaced with an entirely new one. In addition to a petting session, family members should be taught how to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. They should also be taught to teach the bird to identify items, like food or toys. This will make it easier to train the bird to speak and will also allow it to communicate with family members without being physically near them. Health The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. However, it is prone to get bored and turn to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their mind. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screams. Parrots aren't cheap to acquire as the initial costs are high and they require a constant supply of toys that are destroyed quickly, plus food. They are also susceptible to infections, and are costly to treat. These social birds require lots of interaction with humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. They also need hours of exercise and free time every day to build up strength and stay healthy. The cage should be large enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be clean, safe and made from nontoxic materials. It should include a variety of types of perches with varying heights and textures in order to change between them. They also require an roost, typically a tall wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage. The parrots should always have clean water available and this should be refilled daily. They should be offered various dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and treats should be limited to a maximum of 10% of their diet. They should be provided with various nuts and seeds, as well. About 75% of their diet should consist of high-quality crumbles or pellets. The majority of parrot-related diseases are the result of long-term dietary imbalance. Minor irregularities will show up as slow growth and development, poor quality plumage or breeding performance, while more severe changes can manifest as specific diseases. Many of these can be prevented by regular checks with an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management. You can also learn how to care for yourself. Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be happy. If a parrot is bored it can become depressed and may exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation and feather grabbing. It is crucial to conduct regular veterinary examinations, fecal screening and vaccinations performed to ensure that your pet stays healthy. African greys form monogamous couples and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They take care of their babies until they reach about 10 weeks old. They are able to fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They can live for a long time, and often outlive their owners, making them a popular pet worldwide. They are extremely adaptable and will adjust well to many different environments, but they prefer a natural environment with lots of trees and perches to explore. They can also use their feet – two facing back and two facing forward on each foot – to help to balance and perch, just like humans use their hands. Their beaks are short and have a curved upper mandible that can be easily positioned over the lower to aid in cracking open seeds and nuts and their powerful grip can rip through wood and bark. In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits, seeds and dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make up no more than five percent of the total diet. They should be supplemented by high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that avoid pickinginess. They should also be provided with an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked beans and legumes. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available, and cages must be cleaned daily. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if the diet is not nutritionally complete. The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, however, their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Fortunately, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also enjoy the highest protection under CITES. Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot encyclopedia!